Jeff Locke (3-3, 5.34 ERA) and the Pittsburgh Pirates (30-24) are in Atlanta to meet Julio Teheran (4-2, 4.87 ERA) and the Braves (26-28) in a game that could be high scoring. This is the second of a three-game series at Turner Field. The Pirates won the last game 10-8 and Pittsburgh leads the series 1-0. The game starts at 7:10 p.m. ET on Saturday, Jun. 6 and will air on FOX.
Teheran has a 2.70 ERA and a 2-0 record in his career against the Pirates, but is up against a solid Pittsburgh offense that’s hitting .256 on the year. Freddie Freeman (.303, 36 Rs, 10 HRs, 33 RBIs, 2 SBs) played well again yesterday, going 2 for 4 with one run. In his career against the Braves, Locke is 1-1 with a 6.20 ERA, 1.87 WHIP, and 19 strikeouts. Andrew McCutchen (.295, 32 Rs, 7 HRs, 35 RBIs, 3 SBs) has been hitting the ball well for the Pirates, going 2 for 5 yesterday with one run and one RBI.
Atlanta, a -122 favorite, will look to capitalize at home against Pittsburgh. The Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is seven runs. The Braves have a winning record of 8-5 when playing as the favorite and an overall money line of +343.
Across the field, the Pirates have a subpar record of 6-11 when they are the underdog, but are +148 overall with the money line.
So far this season, the Pirates are 1-0 against the Braves. The Braves will take on a left-hander (Locke) in this game and have a 3-4 record against left-handed starting pitchers this season. The right-handed Teheran will take the mound against the Pirates, who have a 26-20 record against righty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – PIT, O/U – Over
Notes
When leading after 7 innings, Pittsburgh is 10-12, while Atlanta is 10-21.
The Braves managed to give up five walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Pirates who are coming in with a 4-4 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
It looks like the Pirates have a slight leg up on the Braves, as the Pirates have won their last four games while the Braves have lost their last three.
When they outhit their opponents, the Braves are 20-8. The Pirates have a 21-5 record when outhitting opponents.
Atlanta and Pittsburgh both rank in the top half of the league in runs. Atlanta sits at 13th with 232 runs this season and Pittsburgh ranks 12th with 234.
Ranking 22nd, Pittsburgh is near the bottom of the league in walks, notching 135 this season. Atlanta ranks in the top half at 15th with 161.
When the Braves hit at least one home run, they are 16-9, well-matched with the Pirates who are 20-12 when hitting one or more homers.
